It’s US Open time! The third major championship of the year tees off on the 17th of June and is set to be a thriller.
With defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, Spanish maestro Jon Rahm, world No.1 Dustin Johnson, four-time major champ Brooks Koepka, three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, and of course the most recent major winner of them all, 50 year old Phil Mickelson, all tipped to be in the running to lift the US Open trophy, this could go down as a classic in the history books.
To get in the mood, let’s delve into those history books to discover how it all began, and touch upon some of the moments of magic that have made the US Open one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments.
The British rule in the early years
The very first US Open took place in 1895 at the 9-hole Newport Country Club. It was originally intended to be a companion piece for the already established U.S. Amateur Championship, with an aim to show the world what American golfers could do.
Unfortunately, it showed the world that American golfers could do nothing more than be beaten by British golfers, who swept the board and stole the show in the early days of the open.
English pro golfer Horace Rawlins won the first open and the Brits went on to win the next 15 editions. These wins include the 1900 US Open victory for Harry Vardon, known as golf’s first superstar and considered to be one of the greatest golfers in the history of the sport.
Another notable early edition of the US Open was in 1906, when Alex Smith won with a staggering, record-making 33 below par. It’s a record that still stands to this day.
The young Americans strike back
After 16 years of British dominance, the Americans had had enough. In 1911, the tide turned and a red white and blue wave washed over the US Open, paving the way for a period of domination that continues to this day.
By now, the 4-day, 72-hole format was fully established. A new generation of young American golfers were coming through with the skills and confidence to take on the Brits. Among them was 19-year old John McDermot, who would go on to win the championship with a birdie on the final hole, becoming the youngest winner of the US open – an honour he still holds to this day.
Two years later, a 20-year old amateur from Boston, Francis Ouimet, pulled off another incredible upset by beating English stars Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in a playoff. The young Americans had arrived… golf would never be the same again.
Bobby Jones’ clean sweep
At the US Open in 1930, one the greatest golfers of all time, Bobby Jones, produced a breathtaking display of golf across a single year to capture all four major championship titles.
Jones sank a 40 foot putt to secure the Open, his third of four majors that sealed the grand slam. The golfing legend remains the only player to ever win all four of golf’s major championships in a calendar year (of course this was back in the days when the US Amateur and British Amateur made up two of the four major golf championships).
Just three years later, in 1933, John Goodman – no, not that one – became the last amateur to win a major championship. Golf was now a strictly professional affair and the US Open was now all about American talent.
The golden years
The post war years saw the rise of some of golf’s greatest ever players, including Ben Hogan, who put in a career-defining performance at the 1950 US Open.
16 months on from a near-fatal car crash, after which doctors told him he’d never play again, Hogan defied the odds to lift the trophy and inspire a generation of young golfers. His incredible win was dubbed the “Miracle at Merion.”
10 years later, Arnold Palmer pulled off one of the all-time great comebacks at Cherry Hills, coming from 7 shots off the lead to take the title. Palmer finished 2 strokes ahead of the second placed golfer, a then unknown 20-year old amateur by the name of Jack Nicklaus.
The lowest round in US Open history
Another memorable US Open of the era was in 1973, when four golfers tied for the lead going into the final day. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Gary Player were the big names vying for the title.
One golfer nobody seemed to pay much attention to was third-placed Johnny Miller. That was until he hit an 8-under par round of 73 to record the lowest round in US Open history. Miller’s incredible round was enshrined in golfing folklore and is, for many, the greatest round of golf in the history of the game.
The eye of the Tiger
Two of the most epic US Open tournaments of the modern era both came courtesy of the greatest player of the modern era. At the US Open in 2000, Tiger Woods reached peak Tiger to destroy the opposition and win by a record 15 strokes. Such dominance hadn’t been seen at the US Open since the very early days when, in 1899 Willie Smith won by an 11 stroke margin.
8 years later, Tiger topped his 2000 performance, this time winning in a tooth-and-nail fight to the finish against Rocco Mediate. Woods sank an amazing 12-foot sudden death putt, to force a playoff against Mediate, before finishing the job and beating Mediate the next day.
The victory was made all the more astounding by the fact that Tiger Woods was playing with a fractured leg. An awesome display of steely mental strength and technical wizardry made for one of the finest performances ever seen at the US Open.
US Open 2021 – history in the making?
The stage is certainly set for an epic showdown from today’s greatest golfers.
The US Open 2021 will run from 17–19 June at Torrey Pines in San Diego, known for its breathtaking scenery, including stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
It’s the ideal backdrop to what will no doubt be a fascinating next chapter in the history books of one of golf’s most illustrious tournaments.
